The Springfield Estate is set in the heart of the mountain-ringed Robertson Valley. Springfield is a vibrant, innovative and closely family-run winery. owned and run by fourth-generation brother and sister, Abrie and Jeanette Bruwer. Nestled on the banks of the Breede Rivier, the lime-rich soils on the estate ranges from extremely rocky to clay with sandy soils next to the river banks, allowing Springfield to craft wines unique to its place of growth. The argument for terroir-specific wines gets a huge boost from the different examples of wines from Springfield, each made with great respect for the different micro-climates the grapes are grown in. Springfield’s motto is : ‘from the grape into the bottle with care and passion’. www.springfieldestate.com
The students tasted the Springfield Estate Sauvignon Blanc ‘Life from Stone’ 2008 and the Springfield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Whole Berry Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (which is also on the wine list of the Queen Mary II, which was actually in Cork Harbour the same day Jeanette visited Ballymaloe!)
Our thanks to Charles Searson, Searsons Wines, for organizing this visit. www.searsons.com
Photo attached – Charles Searson, Jeanette Bruwer and Rory O’Connell
Learning about Wine at Ballymaloe Cookery School